Freiburg report dumps on big name T-Mobile riders and systemic doping

These are allegations against a culture of doping in one prominent team, a culture that was almost certainly eradicated after a climactic period of exposure and scrutiny in 2006. I must stress also that these are allegations only; that they must be investigated thoroughly before firm conclusions can be drawn. For mine there are too many questions - indeed inconsistencies - surrounding exactly who took what, and where, and why some newly hired riders were considered 'outsiders' and shunned, whereas others were "in". One obvious newcomer - Sinkewitz - was inducted into the system, yet Bartko was isolated, for example.

Having said all of that, it's undeniable that we expected something to come out of it, and it's probably exactly as most of us thought: it wasn't just Ullrich (not that Jan has ever admitted it, we only have the purported DNA link and heaps - bags even - of allegations). And yet it's strange that Ullrich is implicated elsewhere, not directly with this Freiburg issue. It was a systemic issue for the team, but not a consistent one?

Experts investigating the procedures of two Freiburg University Clinic doctors who worked for cycling team T-Mobile allege German rider Andreas Kloeden doped during the 2006 Tour de France.

That's not just an allegation against Kloden, either: The issue returned to prominence last fall, when Patrik Sinkewitz said that he - and possibly others - had driven to Freiburg for illegal blood transfusions during the 2006 Tour de France, only days after team captain Jan Ullrich had been suspended for his connection to Operación Puerto. The report found that doping within the team essentially began when the team was formed and continued relatively unabated through to 2006.

The allegations go back to 1992. That's a lot of riders, some of whom are still prominent in the peleton today, indeed are current Top 10 Grand Tour favourites. It covers EPO, testosterone and blood doping, plus 'magic elixirs', the contents of which are not known.

As always, expect the worst and hope for the best!

Sinkewitz - sunk for now, back soon

Well he knew he'd get hit with a suspension but got a fine as well. Given that the guy is also forced out of his paid job it may be a bit tough to expect him to cough up the dough as well, but then again he's an adult and understands consequences... I guess.

Via CN: Patrik Sinkewitz is glad to know the verdict in his doping case, even if he is surprised at the extent of his punishment: a one-year ban and a 40,000 Euro fine. "The uncertainty is finally over. I think I have been punished enough. I can live with the one-year ban. But the fine is a shock. I would have wished for a lesser punishment there," he said, according to the dpa press agency.

Sinkewitz - denial is a fine thing

Sinkewitz has at times appeared naive and unaware, and at other times rash. Now he's in deep denial. On the evening of June 8, while attending a training camp in preparation for the Tour de France, Patrik Sinkewitz smeared a testosterone gel on his upper arm. "I thought, it can't hurt." But it did hurt – it got him fired from his job at Team T-Mobile, brought about the cancellation of German public broadcasting of the Tour and nearly caused his team's sponsor to pull out of its contract.

He has also dragged a few T-Mobile teammates into the muck, whether they like it or not. Michael Rogers is quoted by CN: "I haven't actually heard anything official directly from the mouth of Patrik Sinkewitz or his lawyer, so for me it's premature to respond directly to him in the press because we don't fully understand the extent of the accusations," Rogers said. "It it's true, I will be very disappointed in him. If it is true, I'll be making some very strong claims to put the record straight."

And a later clearance of Rogers by the UCI:
The UCI has confirmed that T-Mobile captain Michael Rogers "has not been implicated by his team-mate Patrik Sinkewitz." In a statement released Friday evening, the UCI said "This was revealed after the UCI examined the dossier sent by the German Federation (BDR) following the statements made by the German rider. The document sent by the BDR showed that Michael Rogers is not implicated in any way."

Allegations: Sinkewitz denies Bettini involvement despite reports

What is it about Germany and doping? Jan has never been caught, possibly because he's innocent. T-Mobile apparently had a few problems keeping EPO away from their riders for a while. And German TV keeps on threatening pullouts from major events if anyone else gets caught. (But isn't getting caught a good thing?) Worse still for cycling fans who just want to see some racing, the World Champs are on in Germany this year. So let the fun begin.

Firstly, let's ban a few people from attending and even looking on. Via CN: The organizers of the Worlds in Stuttgart had already asked previous ambassadors Rudi Altig and Erik Zabel not to attend, later adding the names of Gianni Bugno and Eddy Merckx. Cyclingnews confirmed Bugno to be in Stuttgart, where he won his first Worlds' title 16 years ago.

Now let's ban some more people who may actually win the road race. From CN: Paolo Bettini and Patrick Lefevere have both denied alleged statements by Patrik Sinkewitz that Bettini supplied the Italian with testosterone products while they were both on Lefevere's Mapei/Quick.Step team. The charges were made public yesterday by the German TV sender ZDF, which claimed to have notes from an interrogation of the German rider. Sinkewitz' attorney has also denied that his client said that.

So Sinkewitz (who was a doper and got caught) is quoted as having said something that he now denies saying, apparently. On that basis let's exclude Bettini from the race, despite his denials, and Di Luca too as he has had abnormal hormone readings this year. Again from CN: Italian ProTour leader Danilo Di Luca withdrew from the World Road Race Championships on Thursday, calling his treatment "a scandal". The Italian bowed to pressure from the Stuttgart organisers who objected to the participation of the Giro d'Italia Champion who has been the subject of two separate doping investigations this year.

And on with the racing.

Dope of the day number 3... Patrik Sinkewitz

We all know the story. That testosterone gel that we all have in our cupboards at home is just so easy to apply, so smooth and sweet on the skin that we almost forget it's a banned substance as we smear it on.

Why? Because we are really good bike riders anyway and all we need today is a bit of a lift, a bit like caffeine or Salbutamol really. Everyone does it, don't they?
Why? Well, it's more of a placebo than anything but it seems to improve recovery. I think.
Why? Because I want to take a risk. I'm a cyclist, we are all risk-takers.
Why? Because I feel like coming clean in public after getting caught. It's good for the soul.
Why? Because I feel like a bit of a break from cycling, y'know. A long break.

Once more, from Cyclingnews:
Sinkewitz' home searched The German Bundeskartelamt (federal police) searched Patrik Sinkewitz' apartment in Künzell, Germany, on Thursday, The search was connected to the BKA's investigation of the German cyclist for "fraud or damages against his contract partners", and is unrelated to his positive testosterone doping test. Both the BKA and Sinkewitz' attorney Michael Lehner confirmed the search. It was a routine matter, Lehner told the press agency dpa. "Herr Sinkewitz has nothing to hide and will answer all questions posed to him." A spokesman for the BKA said that it was acting on behalf of prosecutors in Bonn. It is alleged that the former T-Mobile rider used medications for doping purposes and in so doing would have "defrauded and damaged" business partners such as sponsors and sporting event organisers.